2016 has been designated as the Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design in Scotland. To celebrate this the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland has created the Festival of Architecture 2016. This will see a huge programme of events, celebrations and exhibitions, as well as unique access to some of the countries most important buildings.

The year starts with Hinterland, a reimagining of a modernist ruin through lighting and sound. Located in Cardross, around 20 miles west of Glasgow, the project frames St Peter’s Seminary by Gillespie, Kidd and Coia (image above) in a new artistic context and is hopefully the first step in the realization of NVA’s on-going plan to bring prolongued activity back into the building.

Architect IPA, an ale brewed by the Glasgow Institute of Architects and Drygate, is designed to highlight Scotland’s architectural talent through branded bottles by Graphical House and an ‘architecture bar’ by Dress for the Weather. The ale, including Mackintosh, Greek Thomson and Basil Spence was launched in March and will be at a number of events throughout the year.

Over in Edinburgh the Hidden Door Festival takes place from Friday 27th May to Saturday 4th June. The arts festival will see disused and forgotten spaces within the city animated with a range of arts activities and events.

A bit further afield at the Barony Castle Hotel ‘The Great Polish Map of Scotland’ could be an interesting visit. The map is a 60 m × 40 m stone-made terrain relief map of Scotland created by Polish students and local residents of Peebles. You can visit the map all through September 2016.

Please see the Festival of Architecture 2016 website for further information and directions to all events.

Text by: Matt McKenna | Dress for the Weather

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